17 Desember 2011

Malaysia memesan 6 fregat Gowind - Littoral Combat Ship yang akan diserahkan dalam 3 tahapan pembangunan lima-tahunan Malaysia : RMK-10, RMK-11, dan RMK-12 (image : DCNS)

KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- Unit kepada Boustead Holdings Bhd, Boustead Naval Shipyard Sdn Bhd telah diberikan kontrak bernilai RM9 bilion oleh Kementerian Pertahanan.

Kontrak itu ialah untuk penghantaran enam unit generasi kedua "Patrol Vessels Littoral Combat Ships" (Frigate Class) kepada kementerian, kata syarikat dalam kenyataan kepada Bursa Malaysia Jumaat.

Niaga janji itu meliputi reka bentuk, pembinaan, peralatan, pemasangan, pelaksanaan, integrasi dan pengujian ke atas keenam-enam kapal itu, katanya.

"Kontrak itu bernilai RM9 bilion, akan dilaksanakan dalam tempoh tiga Rancangan Malaysia, 10, 11 dan 12," katanya.

Penghantaran pertama dijangka pada 2017 dan disusuli oleh yang lain setiap enam bulan selepasnya.

(Bernama)

14 Desember 2011

USCGS Dallas WHEC 716 (photo : USCG)

PH Navy getting another refurbished US Coast Guard vessel

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Navy expects to receive another refurbished US Coast Guard cutter, its second, early next year, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Tuesday.

"I was told it (cutter) will come early next year. Sigurado na â˜yun (Thatâs for sure)," Gazmin said.

The first Hamilton class cutter, renamed the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, will be commissioned on Wednesday by President Benigno Aquino III.

Gazmin described the acquisition of the Hamilton class cutter as a "hot transfer," with the Philippines to shoulder only the refurbishing of the vessel.

However, no price has been set and Gazmin said the cost of the ship will depend on its condition.

During Monday's turnover at Camp Aguinaldo for the new Armed Forces chief, President Benigno Aquino III vowed to further boost the military's capabilities both for external and internal defense.

(Interaksyon)

See Also :

DND eyes 3 more Hamilton-class ships
14 Desember 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The government is planning to acquire as much as three Hamilton-class ships to beef up the Navy’s maritime defense capabilities, officials said yesterday.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said they are trying to acquire two more cutters after they received the BRP Gregorio del Pilar from the US Coast Guard early this year. The BRP Gregorio del Pilar is the Philippines’ first Hamilton-class cutter – a high speed vessel that can cut through waves – and is now its largest ship, at 380 feet long.

“We are trying to acquire three,” he said referring to the Hamilton-class cutters.

This was confirmed by Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, who revealed that two more Hamilton-class ships may be acquired from the US next year.

“The plan really is to acquire three ships,” Tonsay said in an interview.

“One may be acquired early next year. The other one (would be acquired) hopefully later next year,” he added.

Tonsay said the two ships would secure the energy projects in Malampaya off Palawan. The funding for the acquisition of the cutters would come from the Department of Energy.

“It will expand the area of sovereignty patrol conducted by the Philippine Fleet,” he said.

Tonsay said they have yet to determine the acquisition costs for the two ships. He, however, said the cost for each ship would not be far from that of BRP Gregorio del Pilar, whose transfer cost was pegged at P450 million.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar will be commissioned today to pave the way for its deployment to the West Philippine Sea to secure the country’s energy projects. It was acquired under the US Foreign Military Sales program using proceeds from the Malampaya project funds.

During a visit to Manila last month, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton assured the Philippines that the US would provide a second war ship to the military.

The ship, named US Coast Guard Cutter Dallas, may be transferred to the Philippines by the first or second quarter of 2012. The military has sent a Navy team to the US to determine the requirements for the acquisition of the second ship.

The US Coast Guard Cutter Dallas is a weather high-endurance cutter and has features similar to that of BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

(PhilStar)

07 Desember 2011

A model of the Boustead Gowind Frigate displayed at Lima 2011. (photo : Malaysian Defence)

A Malaysian government-linked shipbuilder said Wednesday it expects to finalise the sale of six naval vessels developed by French navy equipment manufacturer DCNS next month.

Boustead Naval Shipyard was selected by the Malaysian navy earlier this year to build the six corvettes, which are designed for coastal patrol activities.

Zainal Abidin Ahmad, Boustead's assistant general manager, said the two companies would present final design specifications to the navy this month.

"Our expectation is to get it (the deal) signed in January," Zainal said at a maritime and aerospace show on the Malaysian resort island of Langkawi.

The vessels weigh 2,400 tonnes, are 100 metres (330 feet) long and can each transport one EC275 helicopter made by Eurocopter, a subsidiary of EADS.

Zainal said Malaysia's navy had yet to choose how to arm the vessels.

The design is still under wraps and the size of the deal has not been disclosed.

However, industry analysts say the cost of one corvette runs to more than 100 million euros.

In landing the order, state-controlled DCNS beat out bids by Germany's TKMS and Dutch firm Damen.

DCNS already had a relationship with Boustead through a joint venture in 2009 to maintain two Diesel-propelled Scorpene submarines used by the Malaysian navy.

The corvettes, which can stay at sea for three weeks, are designed to navigate coastal areas and island groups to fight piracy and patrol fisheries, according to DCNS.

DCNS has sold 11 frigates to Malaysia's neighbour Singapore, five of which were built in the city-state.

(MSN News)

07 Desember 2011

Gepard 3.9 Vietnam People Navy (PetroTimes)

Russia will sell to Vietnam two frigates "Gepard"

INTERFAX.RU - "Rosoboronexport" and Gorky Zelenodolsk plant successfully completed a contract to supply two ships to Vietnam "Gepard" and signed another contract for two such ships.

"The contract is made on time. In the Vietnamese side were no comments. The first "Gepard" was raised last year, the second - in this. We signed a contract for a second pair of these ships," - said to "Interfax-AVN" on Wednesday, Deputy Director for state defense order and Foreign Economic Affairs of Zelenodolsk plant Gorky, Sergei Rudenko.

He noted that if the first two frigates such as "Gepard" missile guided frigates ships, then the latter will be more ships with ASW-role. According to Rudenko, other countries in Southeast Asia interest in these ships exhibit.

"Yesterday, here at the show we had a meeting with Defense Minister of Cambodia. They asked a couple of ships," - said Rudenko.

(Interfax)

28 November 2011

All eight of the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class frigates will be upgraded with an advanced Anti-Ship Missile Defence system, total cost is $650 million, including the funds already spent upgrading HMAS Perth. (all photos : Aus DoD)

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that the Government has approved the upgrade of all eight of the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class frigates with an advanced Anti-Ship Missile Defence system.

The total project cost is in excess of $650 million, including the funds already spent upgrading HMAS Perth.

The ANZAC Class Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) project has also been removed from the Projects of Concern list.

The 2009 Defence White Paper outlined the Government’s intent to put all of the ANZAC Class ships through an ASMD upgrade program, subject to the successful outcome of at-sea trials on the first ship.


The upgrade of HMAS Perth as the lead ship for the ASMD program was successfully completed earlier this year.

Following exhaustive testing, including in theUnited States, the Chief of Navy agreed to the operational release of the system in July 2011.

Government has now approved the installation of the system on the remaining seven ships of the ANZAC class by 2017.

Minister Smith said this was the latest weapon in Navy’s arsenal and meant the Navy’s ANZAC frigates would be a lot more capable.

At the moment our ANZAC frigates can track and destroy one target at a time.


The new system is able to identify, track and guide missiles to multiple targets at the same time.
Minister Clare said the project was a great Australian success story – cutting edge technology developed right here inAustraliaby CEA Technologies.

The remaining upgrade installation and integration work will be undertaken by the ANZAC Ship Integrated Materiel Support Program Alliance, comprising SAAB Systems, BAE Systems and the Defence Materiel Organisation.

Minister Clare said that the ASMD upgrade program is a good demonstration of how the Projects of Concern process can effectively manage difficult projects and deliver successful national security outcomes for Australia.

(Aus DoD)

09 November 2011

USGGS Dallas WHEC 716 (photo : USCG)

Second Hamilton-class ship to be deployed to West Phl Sea

MANILA, Philippines - The second Hamilton-class patrol ship that will be acquired from the US would also be deployed to the West Philippine Sea area to secure the country’s natural resources, the Navy said yesterday.

Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the ship, which may be transferred to the Philippines by the first or second quarter of 2012, would also guard the energy projects in Malampaya off Palawan.

He said the acquisition of the ship from the US will improve the military’s maritime defense capability.

“It (acquisition) will boost our external defense and it will add to our desired fleet of Hamilton-class vessels,” Tonsay said.

A Navy inspection team, led by Navy Vice Commander Rear Adm. Orwen Cortez, was sent to South Carolina last week to inspect the US Coast Guard vessel being eyed for acquisition.

The team conducted the inspection from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5 as part of the Navy’s continued efforts to upgrade naval capability.

In a statement, Tonsay said the team inspected the US Coast Guard cutter Dallas, which would be acquired through the US Excess Defense Articles project.

The inspection involved orientation tours, preliminary transfer discussions, and ship’s organization and mission briefings.

“An in-depth inspection of the entire ship, examination of the actual equipment on board, and checking of machinery records were also conducted to ensure the actual status of the ship,” Tonsay said.

He said the Navy team and the US Coast Guard discussed matters pertaining to the transfer of the ship to Manila.

“These (matters) include the readiness status of the vessel where it was determined to be mission ready and is expected to be a hot transfer,” Tonsay said.

“This means that the ship is still very much in active service in the US and will be decommissioned only to effect its transfer to the Philippines,” he added.

The US Coast Guard cutter Dallas is a weather high-endurance cutter and has features similar to the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, the first Hamilton-class cutter acquired by the Navy from the US Coast Guard.

The US Coast Guard had used the ship for drug and migrant interdiction, law enforcement, search and rescue, living marine resources protection, and defense readiness.

It is powered by diesel engines and gas turbines and is re-equipped with a helicopter flight deck, a retractable hangar, and facilities to support helicopter operations. The ship can accommodate up to 180 officers and sailors.

Earlier, the government acquired its first Hamilton-class vessel from the US Coast Guard to upgrade the military’s external defense capabilities.

The ship, which has been renamed BRP Gregorio del Pilar, was deployed at the West Philippine Sea to secure energy projects. The vessel is expected to be commissioned this month.

The transfer cost for the Gregorio del Pilar has been pegged at P450 million. It was acquired under the US Foreign Military Sales program using proceeds from the Malampaya project funds.

The Gregorio del Pilar is classified as a cutter, a high-speed vessel that can cut through waves. The ship is now the Navy’s largest vessel.

The 380 feet-long vessel was turned over by the US Coast Guard to Philippine officials in California last May 13. It arrived in Philippine territory last Aug. 17.

(PhilStar)

19 Oktober 2011

USCG's Hamilton class (photo : Militaryphotos)

WASHINGTON D.C.--The Philippine Navy will likely get its second Hamilton-class cutter next year, boosting its capability to patrol the country’s maritime borders even as it races to finally acquire missiles for its ships.

But Vice Adm. Alexander Pama, Navy Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC), said the bigger challenge is not in getting the new weapons the Philippine Navy needs but in improving its “absorptive capacity” to operate and maintain them.

“We have to consider everything,” he told ABS-CBN News. “Buying equipment is the easiest thing to do. The more difficult part is the capability of people because for so long we were concentrated on helping in the counter-insurgency effort. Now we’re shifting to external defense and a conventional navy. That needs a re-adjustment of the skills of our people and that doesn’t happen overnight.”

Meanwhile, the Navy chief downplayed the “freak” collision of a Philippine patrol ship with a Chinese fishing fleet “mother ship” near Recto Bank earlier this week. The patrol ship, reportedly the World War II-vintage BRP Rizal, was trying to take a closer look at the Chinese vessel when it experienced a problem with its rudder, Pama explained.

“It was an accident,” he stressed, adding that the BRP Rizal was investigating reports of poachers in the area. Recto Bank lies about 80 miles northwest of Palawan and is well within the country’s economic zone.

Pama was on his way to the biennial Sea Power Symposium in Newport, Rhode Island where he will address about 70 chiefs of navies from all over the world on “maritime terrorism”. The event is organized by the US Navy.

He stopped briefly in Washington DC to brief think tank groups on the state of the Philippine Navy and naval challenges in the South China Sea.

At the Sea Power Symposium, Pama said he will be sharing the Philippine Navy’s “best practices” in combating terrorism at sea. “They can see that we’re doing something right there and it’s something we can share with the other navies,” he said.

As former commander of Task Force Stingray, an elite naval force created following the string of Abu Sayyaf attacks on beach resorts, he stressed the need to pre-empt terrorists while they’re still on land.

“You don’t address the event itself because by that time it would be too late. Maritime terrorism starts on land,” he said, adding that since Task Force Stingray was established the Abu Sayyaf was never able to replicate the kind of raids it launched on Sipadan Island or the Dos Palmas resort.

But as the Philippine Navy’s focus turn increasingly on the Spratly Islands and the country’s need to tap its vast resources, Pama stressed that "no matter what and no matter with what, we will carry out our mandate even if all we can do is spit on them.”

Pama said they are laying down plans to upgrade the Philippine Navy’s capabilities all the way to the end President Aquino’s term. “The President said he can not commit for the next administration so we’re concentrating on the ‘doables’ and on what the economy can support,” he explained.

Rear Admiral Orwen Cortez, Philippine Navy vice commander, is scheduled to visit the US in early November to inspect another Hamilton-class all-weather high-endurance cutter (WHEC) that could be retired and turned over to the Philippines next year.

A first Hamilton-class cutter was turned over earlier this year and is now deployed with forces patrolling western Palawan.

The third Hamilton-class cutter is projected to be acquired by the Philippine Navy in 2013.

Pama also revealed that they are now preparing to acquire some missile technology. The Philippine military is the only one in Southeast Asia that still does not have missiles. “It’s in the drawing board. I can’t say when but if things turn out as planned, it will be more sooner than later,” he told ABS-CBN News.

Despite recent irritants over the Spratlys dispute, Pama said he was convinced that competing countries were committed to a peaceful resolution of their overlapping claims. “I wouldn’t say it’s getting more dangerous; there are just issues and challenges confronting everybody. I can say the neighborhood has states that are responsible enough. No nation, at least within ASEAN, is out there to make trouble.”

(ABS-CBN News)

07 Oktober 2011

Corvettes of the family "Gowind" interest of Malaysia. (image : DCNS)

The French group hopes to export its ships in the family "Gowind" for maritime surveillance.
The French naval construction company DCNS is preferred to provide corvettes to Malaysia as part of a call for tenders for 24 copies, said Tuesday the financial daily Les Echos. "We received a letter of intent about a month ago, and since we are in advanced talks," he told the newspaper near the public group.

The Malaysian authorities, which require local assembly and transfer of technology, did not retain the other hand the German TKMS and Dutch Damen also candidates for this tender, specify Les Echos. The case could be completed by the end of the year, they added.

The building belongs to the family DCNS "Gowind" for missions "surveillance zone, the fight against piracy and terrorism, enforcement, fight against drug trafficking, environmental protection, humanitarian , search and rescue, maritime security, "said the DCNS on its website. These include corvettes able to deploy a helicopter or a drone.

(Le Point)

17 September 2011

Type 26 FFG (all images : Defense Industry Daily)

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia is considering a number of defence joint ventures with the UK including the development of navy ships with BAE Systems, reported The Timesin London today.

The UK paper reported however that the Malaysian government would want assurances that it would be protected from the type of budget overruns that had hit previous BAE projects.

“Malaysia is considering joining Britain in developing a new generation of navy frigates — but only if it is protected from the sort of budget blowouts that have blighted recent BAE projects,” said The Times.

“Brazil, India, Turkey and Australia have expressed interest in helping to develop the Type 26 frigate, or Global Combat Ship, but BAE’s reputation has made other potential partners nervous and Malaysia would want a guarantee that it would not be liable for budget overruns before it signed up.”

It also quoted Grant Rogan, the chief executive of Blenheim Capital, an apparent adviser to the Malaysian government, as saying that the project had been discussed at the ministerial level in Malaysia as a way to both strengthen bilateral relations with the UK and grow the nation’s industrial base but that the Malaysian government will be “very firm on cost control”.

Rogan was also quoted as saying that the Type 26 frigate is just one of a number of potential defence joint ventures that Malaysia is considering with Britain.

According to The Times, BAE Systems had bust its budget for the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, which entered service three years late while the cost of the six ships increased from £5 billion (RM24.38 billion) to £6.4 billion.

It added that BAE’s Astute nuclear submarine was delivered five years late and its cost increased from £5.2 billion to £6.7 billion

The proposed Type 26, which will weigh up to 6,000 tonnes, is supposed to replace Type 22 and Type 23 frigates and is expected to form the backbone of the UK Navy’s fleet from about 2020.

BAE, together with Turkey’s Nurol, won a contract last year to supply 250 armoured vehicles to Malaysia, in a deal reportedly worth RM1.72 billion.

The company was also reported in July to be bidding for a tender to replace Malaysia’s MiG-29N with its Eurofighter Typhoon.

The Times said that the MiG-29N replacement deal could be worth £2.4 billion.
The UK based BAE Systems is considered Europe’s largest defence contractor and had 2010 sales of about £22.4 billion.

(The Malaysian Insider)

05 September 2011

HMAS Perth with new phased array radar (photo : CEA)

Navy’s new anti-ship missile defence radar system has been released for initial operational use after achieving outstanding results from the trial of the system off the coast of Australia and Hawaii.

The new multi-phased array radar system has been installed on the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Perth.

The radar identifies, tracks and guides missiles to multiple targets at the same time.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare inspected the radar at work on-board HMAS Perth while it was conducting training exercises off the coast of Western Australia.

“This is the latest weapon in Navy’s arsenal. It means our Anzac frigates will be a lot more capable,” Mr Clare said.

“At the moment our Anzac frigates can track and destroy one target at a time. This new radar means they will now be able to track and destroy multiple targets at the same time.

“This is also a great Australian success story. It’s cutting-edge technology developed right here in Australia by CEA Technologies.”

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs said HMAS Perth had just returned from testing the system on the United States Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii with tremendous results.

“The tests proved that the new system can defend the ship from modern cruise missile attack. This is a significant enhancement for the Anzac-class frigates.”

HMAS Perth is the lead ship in this project. Following the successful testing of the system on this ship, the Government will soon make a decision about upgrading the other seven Anzac-class frigates.

(Aus DoD)

23 Agustus 2011

Operation Room of the Australian ANZAC frigate (photo : Saabgroup)

Austal has teamed with German defence communications contractor Rohde & Schwarz to submit a proposal for the upgrade of maritime communications for the Royal Australian Navy's eight ANZAC-class frigates.

The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has issued a request for tender for the SEA 1442 Phase 4 maritime communications modernisation program, with an expected acquisition cost between $300 million to $500 million.

"Austal's ability to submit this response demonstrates not only the company's expanded capabilities in its systems division, but also a continued strengthening of the group's defence credentials, demonstrated most recently by the award of a contract by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service for the supply and support of eight 58m Cape Class Patrol Boats," the company said in a statement.

Austal's chief executive Andrew Bellamy said the partnership with Rohde & Schwarz would add further momentum to the growth of the company's capabilities as a prime defence contractor.

(The West)

22 Agustus 2011

The Philippine Navy’s largest and newest vessel in its inventory, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF15) has arrived in Philippine territorial waters last August 17, 2011. A Philippine Navy Islander Aircraft PNI310 flew over PF15 while she was transiting the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone at 230 nautical miles east of Northern Samar. (photo : The Philippine Fleet)

PHL Navy's biggest warship arrives at Manila Bay

President Benigno Aquino III is set to formally welcome on Tuesday the Philippine Navy’s newly acquired — and largest — ship.

The Hamilton cutter ship arrived at the Manila Bay on Sunday morning after sailing for more than a month from San Francisco in the United States. It will be named BRP Gregorio del Pilar, after one of the country’s heroes.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama boarded the ship at the Manila Bay anchorage and had a lunch with the 95 officers and men, led by Capt. Alberto Cruz, that sailed the ship from the US last July 18.

“They already arrived and they will undergo immigration and quarantine [inspection]. This is part of our regulation whenever we have ships coming from abroad," said Pama.

The 44-year-old ship was acquired from the US Coast Guard through the US Excess Defense Articles program.

The ship will be deployed at the West Philippine Sea where the country has a vast maritime interest to protect.

President Aquino, accompanied by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, will lead the formal welcome ceremony for the ship and its crew on Tuesday morning at the South Harbor. Guests will have the chance to tour the ship.

Pama said the acquisition of the ship will have a big impact on the Navy’s capability on the protection of the country’s maritime resources.

“This will be icon to the revival of the capability upgrade of the Philippine Navy… This will be a symbol of our seriousness [in upgrading the Navy capability]. Because we are a maritime nation, this will jumpstart our revival of our Navy’s capability," he said.

Noting that the ship was able to cross the Pacific Ocean, Pama said the ship can represent the government anywhere in the country despite any the sea condition.

He said that after the arrival ceremony on Monday, the ship will be undergoing dry-docking and repainting. The color of the ship will changed from the current white to gray, the Philippine Navy’s official color.

(GMA News)

18 Agustus 2011

The ship will be repainted with gray color. It is currently colored white. (photo : US pacific Flleet)

MANILA, Phippines - A Hamilton-class warship that the country will use to protect its borders will finally arrive in the country’s waters late Wednesday.

Navy Spokesman Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay said the ship, which was named BRP Gregorio del Pilar, was 273 nautical miles east of Samar as of 2:30 p.m. today.

The ship, which was purchased early this year, will dock at the Manila Bay on Sunday at 8:00 a.m.

The vessel, which was first commissioned by the US in 1967, departed San Francisco last July 18. It is manned by 13 officers and 82 enlisted personnel under Captain Alberto Cruz.

Tonsay said: “As a multi-mission vessel, (BRP) del Pilar will be primarily for Philippine Navy maritime security and sovereign patrols especially upon its deployment at the Malampaya project, west of Palawan. Due to its classification as a weather high endurance cutter, its secondary roles will be in support for search and rescue.”The ship will be repainted with gray color. It is currently colored white.

The ship will also be fitted with additional capabilities. “There are armaments on board right now but I understand that we also have plans to include [more] armaments…[We will install] additional facilities and capabilities but there are existing [ones] already there,” Navy Philippine Fleet deputy spokesman Lt. Rommel Rodriguez said.

“We are excited about her arrival. [The] deployment is flexible depending on the operational plan but she will help a lot in protecting our off shore resources by increased maritime domain awareness and added response capability,” said AFP spokesman Commodore Miguel Jose Rodriguez.

Some military officials said the cutter is needed to help protect the country’s interest in the dispute at the West Philippine Sea, or the South China Sea.

The Hamilton replaces the Raja Humabon, a Cannon-class destroyer escort, which is probably one of the world’s oldest warships.

(ABS CBN News)

08 Agustus 2011

Expected, the new Gepard warship named HQ-012 Ngo Quyen. (all photos : BaodatViet)

After more than two months journey from Gorky Zelenodolsk shipyards, missile corvettes HQND Gepard 2 of Vietnam was coming on the end of the month 7 / 2011.

The work of towing the ship from the ship dock Gepard Edietransporter first two took place successfully, under the supervision of the Vietnam Navy officers and representatives of the shipyard Gorky Zelenodolsk.

Gepard 2 transport dock ship.

Gepard missile corvette No. 2 was built with weapons configuration similar to a Gepard ships with several improvements and upgrades.

Gepard missile corvettes 3.9 has improved performance for seaworthiness longer, high maneuverability, agility in handling the situation and range.

Gepard no. 1 and no. 2.

According to the manufacturer, the interior of the vessel has been modified to increase crew comfort. In particular, according to experts from the shipyard, the Gepard No. 2 is much improved than before, more convenient in maintenance and operation.

(BaodatViet)

06 Agustus 2011

BRP Gregirio Del Pilar (all photos : US Pacific Fleet)

MANILA, (PIA) -- The long wait is almost over as the Philippine Navy’s new flagship and largest warship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF15) has again set sail Monday, August 1, 2011 for Manila after a brief stop in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

According to the Philippine Navy, the crew was warmly welcomed by Filipinos in Hawaii, who had waited to see the vessel since government announced its efforts to acquire modern warships for the Philippine Navy.

While the new flagship was on the move to the island of Kuala in Hawaii, it was still able to participate in a naval training exercise with USS Ruben James (FFG 57). The USS Ruben James is an Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigate.

The joint training scenario, which includes a series of tactical and communication maneuvers, aims to enhance the skills of the Filipino crew in manning the ship as well as increase interoperability between the Philippines and the United States.

Meanwhile, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar will make another stop in Guam wherein hundreds of Filipino families also await for its arrival.

The Philippine government has gained worldwide support among Filipinos and other foreign nationals on the nation’s new defense initiatives.

BRP Gregorio del Pilar is a 378 feet long and 42 feet wide ship, armed with a 76mm gun mount controlled by an MK92 Fire Control System.

The former US Coast Guard vessel was designed to take on long-range search and rescue operations, oceanographic research, and law enforcement - defense operations. Its hangar and flight deck are also capable of handling helicopter operations.

(PIA)

04 Agustus 2011

HMNZS Te Kaha and HMNZS Endeavour (photo : RNZN)

Thales promotes New Zealand suppliers for ship upgrade bid Thales New Zealand is today holding an Industry Engagement Day with local businesses from marine and naval industry groups. The company will be highlighting opportunities for these businesses to participate in a major ship upgrade program for the New Zealand Defence Force.

The Auckland event will be attended by 45 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with potential work in the program ranging from support services for radar and electro-optic systems to logistics expertise and requirements management services.

“New Zealand has a wide range of very capable and innovative suppliers in the Defence arena, and we are very interested in talking to them in order to offer the Government and taxpayers a compelling, value for money solution for this project,” said Peter Beggs, Country Director Thales New Zealand.

“Our bid is premised on mature, low risk technology delivered on time by an experienced team to enhance the NZDF’s naval capabilities. Suppliers will need to have a proven track record, flexibility, and a strong focus on costs.”

Requirements for the Frigate Systems Upgrade project for the ANZAC class vessels include an upgraded Combat Management System, new sensor and radar capabilities, and associated through life support services.

Thales has extensive experience in large scale naval programs, having successfully worked with 20 different shipyards in 19 countries on combat system programs for 40 different classes of vessels.

A Government decision on approval to proceed with the project is expected by early next year.

(Thales)

28 Juli 2011

PF-15 BRP Gregorio del Pilar (photo : PMCMSSR)

The Philippine navy's newest and biggest ship, a former U.S. Coast Guard cutter re-flagged as the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, will pull into Pearl Harbor this morning for a brief port visit before heading on to Guam and the Philippines.

ABS-CBN News out of the Philippines said the warship will patrol the South China Sea close to the disputed Spratly Islands, where China has had run-ins with the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Spratlys, with oil and natural gas deposits, are claimed in whole or in part by the three countries and others in the region.

The Gregorio del Pilar is the 378-foot former U.S. Coast Guard cutter Hamilton, which was commissioned in 1967 and decommissioned on March 28 of this year.

According to Internet reports, the Gregorio del Pilar has a 76 mm cannon, two 25 mm Bushmaster guns and a Close-In Weapons System.

The warship is scheduled to arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam at 7:30 a.m. Deputy Consul General Paul Cortes of the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu; Capt. Jeffrey James, commander of Joint Base-Pearl Harbor-Hickam; and Capt. William Johnson, commanding officer of the cruiser USS Lake Erie, will greet the ship, U.S. Navy officials said.

Members of the Filipino community who have base access are welcome to attend the arrival, officials said.

During the port visit, Gregorio del Pilar will take on supplies and fuel, and hold a reception hosted by the Philippine Consulate in Honolulu and the Philippine Celebrations Coordinating Committee of Hawaii. Crew members also will visit the USS Arizona Memorial.

The ship was turned over to the Philippine government on May 13. ABS-CBN News said the cutter was acquired from the U.S. for more than $10 million.

Commanded by Capt. Alberto A. Cruz, Gregorio Del Pilar left Alameda, Calif., on July 18. Gregorio del Pilar is the first gas-turbine jet engine-powered vessel in the Philippine navy fleet, U.S. officials said. It has a crew capacity of 180 and a range of 14,000 nautical miles.

The U.S. Navy said prior to taking command of the ship, 74 Gregorio del Pilar members underwent two months of training on board the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Boutwell, the sister ship of the Hamilton.

The Boutwell traveled to Colombia, Ecuador and El Salvador, where the ship's mission included the interdiction of drug smugglers.

"The success of the training and transition is an indication of the robust Philippine-U.S. partnership and serves as an expression of U.S. commitment to help the Philippines protect its maritime domain," the Navy said.

The Philippine navy has acquired other U.S. Coast Guard vessels in the past, including two 82-foot patrol boats in 1999 and 2001.

(StarAdvertiser)

18 Juli 2011

A Hamilton-class cutter of the United States Coast Guard will set sail from San Francisco, California, USA for the Philippines on July 18 (photo : Timawa)

Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Navy’s newly acquired cutter from the United States (US) Coast Guard is arriving in the country in three weeks’ time and after some refinements will be immediately deployed to secure the country’s territorial waters in the West Philippine Sea, Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said yesterday.

Pama flew to California yesterday in time for tomorrow’s sendoff of BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) for a long voyage home, with stopovers in Hawaii and Guam for replenishment.

"The sendoff will signal the last activities for BRP Gregorio del Pilar in the US and to start its journey to the Philippines,” Pama said.

He said Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Cuisia Jr., US Coast Guard Pacific Area and Defense Force West commander Vice Admiral Manson Brown and Philippine defense and Armed Forces attaché to the US Navy Capt. Antonio Habulan Jr. will be around during the official sendoff ceremony.

Aside from the BRP Gregorio del Pilar, the government is also shopping for additional military assets in the US in line with the capability upgrade program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), to be used for its territorial defense amid the increasing tension in the West Philippine Sea brought about overlapping claims over the Spratlys.

A former USCG cutter, the Hamilton Class vessel, which is also classified as Weather High Endurance Cutter (WHEC), will first undergo refinements in its weapon and electronic systems upon its arrival before its deployment for maritime security operations in Palawan.

To accommodate the newly acquired PF-15, Pama said the Navy is putting up a naval base in Hulugan Bay fronting the West Philippine Sea, which will serve at the vessel’s homeport.

The scheduled deployment of PF-15 in the West Philippine Sea is expected to further boost the Navy’s platform in the hotly contested region to include maritime security operations for the Malampaya project west of Palawan.

“The Philippine Navy intends to use this multi-mission vessel for operations such as maritime security patrols and search and rescue. But more importantly, it will be deployed to aid in the maritime security of the Malampaya project,” Pama said.

While PF-15 is classified as a WHEC in the US, the Philippine Navy has refitted and refurbished it as a surface combatant ship with a type code of “P” for patrol and is further classified as a frigate with a type code of “F,” hence the designation of “PF.”

The vessel is powered by combined diesel engines and gas turbines and is equipped with a helicopter flight deck, a retractable hangar, and facilities to support helicopter operations.
With a total length of 378 feet, 42 inches beam, the BRP Gregorio del Pilar will be the Navy’s flagship.

(PhilStar)

08 Juni 2011

The Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile launches from the Vertical Launch System on board HMAS PERTH. HMAS PERTH is the first RAN ship to utilise the Australian designed and developed Phase Array Radar to detect, track and engage the remotely piloted air target (all photos : Australian DoD)

Step forward for Navy’s Anti-Ship Missile Defence

A major milestone in the delivery of an upgraded Anti-Ship Missile Defence for the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac Class frigates has been achieved with the completion of a successful trial of the system.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare said the project involved a comprehensive upgrade of the HMAS Perth’s anti-ship missile defence systems including a new phased array radar.

“This technology was developed and designed here in Australia by CEA Technologies,” Mr Clare said.

“It’s cutting edge technology which will improve the ability of our frigates to detect and track targets.”
“It also means the Ship is now capable of engaging multiple targets at the same time.”

Test firing was conducted at sea last month and involved the successful firing of an Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile using the phased array radar system.

The Ship leaves today for the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii to conduct operational testing.

HMAS Perth is the lead Ship in this project. Defence will now prepare a business case for Government to upgrade the other seven ANZAC Class frigates.

(Australian DoD)

03 Juni 2011

Naresuan class frigates (photo : nipa)

The defence and security company Saab has received two orders from the Royal Thai Navy for the upgrading of combat management and fire control systems on two frigates of the Naresuan class. The total contract amount is MSEK 454.

The contracts involve upgrading the frigates with the latest generation of combat management and fire control systems, 9LV Mk4 and CEROS 200. Saab will also supply data-link equipment to the ships, which will allow communication between the frigates and Thailand’s existing Gripen aircraft and Saab 340s, the latter fitted with the ERIEYE airborne radar system.

Saab 9LVMk4 Combat Management System (photo : Saab)

“Saab will supply an advanced combat management and fire control system which allows interoperability between naval and airborne units, providing more effective use of resources and capabilities,” says Gunilla Fransson, Head of Saab’s Business Area Security and Defence Solutions.

Saab is the main contractor to the Royal Thai Navy, and as well as supply of its own systems, its tasks will include procurement of third-party systems and responsibility for integration of all existing and new systems.

Saab Ceros 200 fire control system (photo : Nemopan)

“This is Saab’s first major agreement with the Royal Thai Navy and the business strengthens our position in Thailand, which is an important market for Saab,” says Gunilla Fransson.

The contracts mainly concern the Security and Defence Solutions business area as the supplier of the combat management and fire control systems and the Tacticall communication systems. The Electronic Defence Systems business area will supply the Sea Giraffe AMB surveillance radar system as well as data-link equipment for communication with Gripen and the ERIEYE Airborne Early Warning systems.

The contract will run between 2011 and 2014.

(Saab)